Just thought I’d contribute with more depressing fanart of that life ruining scene in Sacrifice.
I can’t draw
in generalbackgrounds, I apologise. One day I’ll learn.


I just love this little moment for so many reasons. Of course the look on Arthur’s face and in his eyes is adorable and just how can you say that’s not love? But more than that, it’s what he SAYS that really gets me.
He tells Merlin that YOU brought peace at last. Not I, not WE, not whatever else he could’ve said. Arthur’s said plenty of times how the kingdom rests on HIS shoulders and that it’s HIS responsibility and that he doesn’t need anyone to help him. In season 5, he’s said several times that WE did this, or WE did that, referring to himself and Merlin.
Arthur’s Bane: “No matter what adversity we face, we stand for what is right. To betray our beliefs, Merlin, that is what would destroy everything we’ve strived for.”
We know that Arthur believes Merlin played a role in building Arthur’s Camelot. But before this point, Arthur never gave Merlin credit for anything. He may have been realizing all through the finale that Merlin deserves credit for all the things he’s done and that he never sought credit, but he never outright GAVE Merlin credit for anything he’s done.
Now, right before Arthur’s eyes, Merlin has done something no one else, not even Arthur, has been able to do in the past 10 years. Merlin’s brought peace. And Arthur knows that it’s MERLIN who brought peace back to Camelot. It’s not Arthur’s doing, it’s not even Merlin AND Arthur’s doing. It’s JUST MERLIN and Arthur tells Merlin that FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Arthur acknowledged Merlin for everything he’s done with his last “thank you,” but before that, he’d already given Merlin credit for the most important thing Arthur ever hoped to achieve. Peace in Camelot.

I’m sorry I had to leave you.
